How do planes stay up?

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentChip asked me how planes stay up. Apparently, this is what my decades of aeronautical study have prepared me for.

2. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep one. A plane's wings are shaped and tilted to push air downward as it zooms forward.

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   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorLike the Tilt-a-Whirl at the Marion County Fair! It flings everybody to the side, and the wings fling the air!

4. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep two. Pushing air down pushes the wing up. That push is called lift.

5. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo lift is the line of kids leaning on the rail, waiting to get on. Very tall kids.

6. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep three. Engines push the plane forward fast, so the wings keep making lift.

7. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe engine is the ride operator, Gary. He just keeps pulling the big lever and eating nachos.

8. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep four. If lift is bigger than the plane's weight, up it goes. Per Wikipedia, lift comes from a wing deflecting air downward.

9. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd weight is my funnel cake. Heavy, but worth it.

10. 

    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt is not a funnel cake. Whoever is writing you is doing this on purpose.

11. 

    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThat's actually a great question. Some stunt planes can. Tilting the wing the right way still pushes air down, even upside down.

12. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHuh. Gary would never let me do that after a funnel cake.